bet9ja.com
Sport wagering market aims to safeguard itself

16 September 2010
bit.ly
By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big company.

Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

And that figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.

But when the stability of events are struck the sports betting market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if clients can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not just is it a significant market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was banned recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is great for wagering firms since individuals will invest cash wagering with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not truly a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be mindful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on potential issues around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which is in everybody's interest," he includes.

"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.

"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that once an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines imply players are not enabled to bet on a in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We need to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'
bet9ja.com
If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
bet9ja.com
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.

"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.

"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much helpful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."

Related web links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP
bet9ja.com
Gambling Commission

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
bit.ly